RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00516

XXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, for the period 23 Aug 71 to 22 Aug 75, be corrected to reflect award of:

1.  Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with Campaign Star,
2.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) with two Valor devices, and
3.  AFOUA  with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The devices were awarded after his discharge from the Air Force.  He was involved in the Vietnam Cease fire 30 Mar 72 to 28 Jan 73, and should have been awarded a Campaign Star for his VSM.  He should have received the AFOUA with Valor for service in Thailand 28 Sep 72 to 22 Feb 73 and 30 Jul 73 to 15 May 75.  He should have received another AFOUA for service at Mountain Home AB, Idaho 17 Apr 74 to 15 Apr 76.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Regular Air Force sergeant (E-4), and served honorably from 23 Aug 71 to 22 Aug 75.

According to Special Order TA-2983, dated 1 Oct 72, provided by the applicant, while assigned to the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW), he was on temporary duty (TDY) to an unspecified location, effective on or about 1 Oct 72, for approximately 179 days.  The applicant did not provide a copy of his filed travel voucher confirming the TDY and dates. 

According to Special Order GB-489, dated 30 Jun 76, provided by the applicant, the 474th TFW was awarded the AFOUA with Combat V Device from 18 Sep 72 to 22 Feb 73.

According to Special Order GB-3222, dated 25 Apr 77, provided by the applicant, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P) was awarded to the 474th TFW, for the period 28 Sep 72 to 22 Feb 73.  The DD Form 214 prepared on 28 Aug 75, confirmed the applicant was awarded the RVGC w/P; however, does not reflect dates or locations.

According to Special Order TA-843, dated 18 Mar 73, provided by the applicant, he was TDY to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, on or about 18 Mar 73, for approximately 179 days.  Special Order AC-1399, dated 29 Jun 73, converted the TDY to Thailand, to an assignment.

The applicant provided screenshots of award listings for Special Order GB-722 for AFOUA w/Valor, and Special Order GB-199 for AFOUO.  However, the actual Special Orders themselves are not included in the application. 

According to AF Form 910, TSgt, SSgt,and Sgt Performance Report, for the period 16 Feb 74 to 17 Oct 74, provided by the applicant, he was assigned to the 366th Field Maintenance Squadron, Mountain Home AFB.

The DD Form 214, in conjunction with his 22 Aug 75 discharge, reflects he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) and VSM.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program: 

A15.2. VSM
A15.2.6. Authorized Device. A service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions: 
A15.2.6.1. Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat. 
A15.2.6.2. Under orders in the combat zone and in addition meets any of the following requirements: 
A15.2.6.2.1. Awarded a combat decoration. 
A15.2.6.2.2. Furnished a certificate by a commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the service member actually participated in combat. 
A15.2.6.2.3. Served at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to occupying the status of an inspector, observer, or visitor). 
A15.2.6.2.4. Aboard a vessel other than in a passenger status and furnished a certificate by the home port commander of the vessel that he served in the combat zone. 
A15.2.6.3. Was an evader or escapee in the combat zone or recovered from a prisoner-of-war status in the combat zone during the time limitations of the campaign.

A10.4. AFOUO
A10.4.1. Eligibility. 
A10.4.1.1. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded to numbered units such as air forces, air divisions, wings, groups, squadrons, provisional units, and medical facilities (i.e. hospitals, clinics, medical centers [numbered or unnumbered]). 
A10.4.1.2. Detachments, operating locations, training sites, and Air Force elements are often included in the parent unit’s award; however, they may be considered on their own merit or identified by the parent unit to share in the award, but not both. 
A10.4.1.3. Unnumbered units may not be nominated for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, however, they may be submitted for the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award. 
A10.4.1.4. Units below squadron level are not eligible for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. 
A10.4.2. Authorized Device. Oak Leaf Cluster. Refer to paragraph A17.16 for information about the “V” device.

A17.16. Valor "V" Device.  The “V” device is worn to denote individual valor in combat against an enemy of the U.S. 
A17.16.1. Eligibility for the “V” device for a contingency deployment operation is dependent upon the area being declared a hostile environment by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, or hostile acts identified by the unified commander or higher authority. 
A17.16.2. The “V” device may be awarded for a single event, such as a terrorist act, isolated combat-type incident, etc.  The device is not awarded for normal peacetime achievements or service.
A17.16.6. Effective 1 Jan 14, the “V” device is no longer authorized for award with an Air Force unit award.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board took notice of the applicant’s complete submission and Air Force guidance in judging the merits of the case and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  The Board felt the applicant provided sufficient documentation to support his connection to the units which were awarded the corresponding awards.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued on 22 Aug 75, be amended to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal with Campaign Star and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2020-00516 in Executive Session on 29 Sep 20:

, Chair, AFBCMR
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 30 Sep 19.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.